'American Idol' results: And the eliminated contestant is ... Casey Abrams

At the beginning of Thursday night's "American Idol," in which Casey Abrams was (this time far less shockingly) eliminated to turn the top six into the top five, Ryan Seacrest gave us a hint about what was to come: "I can tell you this," he told us. "A lot of fans are going to be disappointed with tonight's result."

Well, count me among them, because Casey was one of my own personal favorites.

I liked his knack for surprising song choices and musical virtuosity. I liked his silly, self-deprecating humor and his wacky way with a stand-up bass. (He seemed like a stand-up guy with a stand-up bass.) I liked his tight little scoot around the stage and the peculiar way he had of slapping only one hand when he walked up to the throngs in the front row. I liked the audacity of his Jennifer Lopez kiss and its impetuous innocence. I even liked his shaggy 'do (before and after), his swoon the last time he was eliminated and his trademark growl, which, he explained Thursday night, stemmed from all his passion for music rushing to get out one very small aperture.

That curious theory was funny and honest and interesting and cute in a weird way. And that, right there, is the reason I like Casey.

Mentor Jimmy Iovine, who wrongly predicted that Casey would be safe this week, suggested that Casey's growl could get him into trouble. "Casey's got to realize that the family dog does not vote on this show," Jimmy quipped.

And maybe jazz fans don't vote either, because my guess is that it was Casey's refusal to play it safe (except for a few weeks there right after his remarkable save) and his stated desire to bring jazz to the masses that ultimately did him in.

If we had any doubt that Casey's "what the heck, I'm just milking this thing and having a blast" casual attitude had returned — especially after watching him nibble at his nails right there on live TV as the camera panned across him at the beginning of Thursday night's show (I know results shows are nerve-wracking, but ick, Casey!) — and that it might get him in trouble with voters, there could be little doubt after Ryan put a fan question to him: "If you could do a duet with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and what would you sing?"

Casey's answer: Oscar Peterson, the legendary jazz pianist and composer (an all-time great), who died in 2007. "He's a very famous jazz musician," Casey informed the millions of Americans who, very sadly, probably had no idea who he was talking about. Then he went on to explain that it was because of Peterson's remarkable chord progression, among other things. No amount of enthusiastically encouraging nods from Randy Jackson was going to save Professor Casey at that point.

Which will not make me miss him any less. Casey reminded us of all we were losing with his final number, "I Put a Spell on You." (Not that Ryan hadn't already reminded us: "This is what talent looks like, ladies and gentlemen," he said.) Casey kissed and hugged each judge, noisily bussed a whole row of women in the audience, embraced the family members of his fellow contestants and tackled a few of those contestants before ending by looking right into Haley Reinhart's eyes and singing, "because you're mine."

What a way to confirm that they're a couple. They're a couple, right?

Here's wishing those two crazy kids a long and happy and laughter-filled relationship — and long and happy (and healthy!) careers making music.

Because, as last year's runner-up pointedly sang on Thursday night's show, "If you want to sing a song, you just sing it." She also reminded us that the most talented contestant doesn't always win the "Idol" crown.

Casey's talent and passion for music will outlive his time on "Idol." And he'll assuredly find success, because dang if he didn't put a spell on many of us.

What do you think? Are you sad to see Casey go? Or did you feel it was his time?

'American Idol' recap: The top six take on Carole King

Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"

— Amy Reiter

Photo: The final six, from left, Haley Reinhart, Scotty McCreery, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams and Jacob Lusk. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.

Comments

[Diane Luna]

I'm so sorry to see Casey go. It should not have been him. It should have been Jacob or one of the girls. Casey is an excellent entertainer.

[RogueRye]

The Bible Belt Southern States always garner the tween/country votes. So Scotty and Miss Piggy should be in the finals. They should make each phone line get 5 votes PERIOD. Casey was great and I wish he and Haley would become a duo jazz/rock/pop group! Thats a concert I would go to.

[susan]

casy was far above the rest...the girls stink...the masses
do not appreciate such talent and jazz for that matter..
the voting with the two numbers for each contestant was confusing also...but casey has the "it" factor that the others do not

[Javier]

Jimmy Lovine with Interscope should immediately do a Record Deal with Casey and launch a Record ASAP and call it Musical Smorgasbord with Casey Abrams and intentionaly have 4 or 5 different genres on the same record because he can do multiple genres justice it will sell millions i promise you that. he got millions of votes weekly only a handfull of Artists can pull that off and Casey did that throughout the show week to week

[Atlanta Roofing]

I thought Casey's last night performance was brilliant. He is a classy, funky spirit and creative musician. I was shocked to hear he was eliminated. But I am pretty sure he will do great in the future, probably better than the next American Idol.

[Richard]

they just eliminated the best all around talent, guess the teenybopper didnt like him enough, id like to see Halley go next, she,s always over the top, with not much real talent that i can see, never makes the songs her,s , just looks, is all i can say she,s got. i find her annoying, i like the others ok , cant really pick a favorite right now.

[Lorna Navarro]

Glad to hear that it was Casey Adams who was voted out, his type of music isn't my liking. I hope James or Scotty wins, they were better performers.

[Itscindy]

Casey was my fave from the beginning, for all the reasons you just explained. He is one hell of a musician and very obviously a swell guy. I will miss him terribly as I watch each contestant get eliminated one by one, including Hayley, my other favourite. Lauren or Scotty will win as was obvious from the beginning because America, you are just so gosh darn predictable.

[marlene]

Casey was and is my favorite, very talented in many ways. I'm sure the ratings of American idol will drop as they should. We sure are and will continue being your fans! !!!YOUR THE BEST CASEY!!!
(Nothing against anyone else but I sure do not care who wins anymore)

[Tina]

I cannot believe America let Casey go. Yes competition is tight but I believe Casey has so much more to give. Everyone loves him. He may not be with American Idol, but America isn't done with him. WE WANT MORE!!! As far as the competition goes now, they are all so good. Lauren is one I can see making it big. She is still that scared insecure teenager, not knowing which way to go, who to listen too when all she has to do is be herself and have fun. Just let it go. Of course James and Scott are good too. This year is tuff!! Haley has upped the ante also. I can see several of these making it big whether they win or not. I think they all have a future in music.

[babs veness]

I thought it would come down to Casey and James competing for the final win. There isn't as much to look forward to now...

[Barbara Allen]

Keep up the good work Jacob! just because you dont look like the other contestants doesn't mean a thing. I personally think you are the best singer.
I think Casey should have went home the first time he was voted off,when the
judges saved him.

[kristi eaves]

Casey is still the best. He has more talent than a lot of the people still in the running. Idol is more of a popularity contest instead of a talent contest. I love the show ( or should say I used to love it) but I think I am " American Idoled out". I miss Simon' s candid voice. I even miss Paula even though Steven Tyler does a good impersonation. After this huge disappointment I am done with the show. Let"s be honest, who can stand up to James now?

[Lynn]

I agree that Casey is an extremely talented musician. I loved that he remained true to himself. I'm sorry to see him go and hope he has a very successful career.

[kit]

sad to see casey leave the american idol. he's my one of my two bets to win the crown this year (the other one being james). hope scotty and jacob are voted out next!!!!

[Chris]

Yes, Casey definitely put a spell on me. I'm super sad to see him go and loved him for all the reasons the writer of this article loved him. What a talent. He and James are really the two with the most unique talent and amazing stage presence, and what a final show it would have been if those two were on there together. Wish we could have a do-over. . . . I'd spend my two hours texting for Casey and James ONLY.

[cynthia barte]

it is n't his time. His diversity is too cerebral and quite experimental. maybe as predicted a genius can't win in the Idol. But Casey is really awesome. He is too good and cool.

[pegasus5726]

I think Casey is amazing, but too much growling last night... he growled most of the song it seemed. He's still a great talent though.

[Gary David]

Casey is far more talented, classy, and has more breadth and depth of appeal. This is esp compared to Jacob, who, many a time was off key and a trying hard copycat. Most people would have expected that Jacob would have reached his end of the road. I hope to see the show without his endless screaming. Well done, Casey.

[ken wilson]

Thank God! This guy should have been gone the first time. The judges wasted their save. They should have saved Pia....nuff said.